Patient Protocols

Details the introduction by Northallerton Health Services NHS Trust of critical paths and care profiles as tools within its Co‐ordinated Care Programme. Aims to use these tools as means to assess and improve on the care which patients receive, and to monitor clinical performance. Identifies the development of protocols of care as one vehicle through which care can be monitored. Discusses the progression of the programme and how its scope continues to extend with a view to incorporating primary care right down to general practitioner level.